An updated version of the classic Renaissance manuals, this handbook is geared toward modern practitioners. It features the best ideas from the early guides, compiled into a contemporary system that makes writing the Italic as simple as possible. With this manual as a guide, both experienced and novice calligraphers can cultivate their natural creativity.

An updated version of the classic Renaissance manuals, this handbook is geared toward modern practitioners. It features the best ideas from the early guides, compiled into a contemporary system that makes writing the Italic as simple as possible. With this manual as a guide, both experienced and novice calligraphers can cultivate their natural creativity.

In recent years, calligraphy has evolved from an esoteric art form to an everyday pursuit for artists, students, and amateurs. This guide for novices with some experience offers the chance to advance to the next level. Well-illustrated, step-by-step instructions by an expert calligrapher explain every detail of the two most popular calligraphic alphabets. Author Eleanor Winters introduces the Italic hand, which originated during the Renaissance, and the Copperplate style, which dominated European calligraphy during the eighteenth century. Her three-part approach begins with a review of the basics, advancing to variations in letter size, form, weight, and flourishes. It concludes with a wealth of advice on layout and design as well as inspiration for original projects.

The Calligraphy Handbook is a complete guide to the art of calligraphy, from selecting pens and mastering different alphabets through designing and laying out your work—an excellent starter reference or step up for someone interested in creative lettering. Step-by-step mini projects demonstrate a wide range of techniques, from brush lettering and gliding to design principles and practice. Beautifully illustrated examples provide a wealth of inspiration and include scripts such as Roman, Italic, Gothic, and Copperplate calligraphy. In a digital age, it's easy to move away from handwriting, but even the most artistically stunted can create beautiful text blocks on gift cards and in their own journals. The stylish design of this book—along with the interior photographs, illustrations, and diagrams—make the learning process simple and fun for beginners and provides useful tips for more advanced readers. The book also describes the equipment needed to be an excellent calligrapher, including the paper, measuring tools, pens, brushes, and inks. Teach yourself a skill with versatile and practical uses and bring a little bit of beauty onto the page.

This book is designed for the use of students and teachers who believe that they need more detailed direction in learning Italic than is available in Mr. Fairbank's Manual or in Mr. Benson's The First Writing Book. It is recommended that these three books be studied together, especially the writings of Alfred Fairbank, to whom we are all indebted for the Italic revival.

This hardcover book with internal wire-o binding is 6.5in x 8in, a perfect size for readers to keep handy and reference often. The stylish design of this book, along with the interior photographs, illustrations and diagrams, make the learning process simple and fun for beginners and provides useful tips for more advanced readers. This is a complete guide to the art of calligraphy, from selecting pens and mastering different alphabets through to designing and laying out your work. Step-by-step mini projects demonstrate a wide range of techniques, from brush lettering and gliding to design principles and practice. Beautifully illustrated examples provide a wealth of inspiration and include scripts such as Roman, Italic, Gothic, and Copperplate calligraphy. The book describes the equipment needed to be an excellent calligrapher, including the paper, measuring tools, pens, brushes, and inks.

In an age of myriad computer fonts and instant communication, your handwriting style is increasingly a very personal creation. In this book, Margaret Shepherd, America's premier calligrapher, shows you that calligraphy is not simply a craft you can learn, but an elegant art form that you can make your own. Calligraphy remains perennially popular, often adorning wedding invitations, diplomas, and commercial signs. Whether it is Roman, Gothic, Celtic, Bookhand, or Italic style, calligraphy conveys class and elegance. Margaret Shepherd makes this ancient art form accessible in a completely hand-lettered technical guide that will: * Provide context for calligraphy as an art, exploring the rich tradition of hand-lettering and mapping the evolution of the most popular styles. * Give detailed technical advice on choosing pens, paper, and inks, setting up your workspace, mastering various pen angles, along with step-by-step illustrations to guide you as you practice. * Explain which alphabets are appropriate for different forms of writing. For example, the Roman alphabet works well for short, unpunctuated passages, while the Italic alphabet is more suited to informal everyday communication. * Encourage you to personalize your lettering by using variant strokes and interpreting how you would like the words to look on the page. * Inspire you with carefully chosen illustrations and examples, which bring letters to life. In Margaret Shepherd's own words, "Calligraphy trains not only your eye and hand, but your mind as well." Learn Calligraphy is the authoritative primer for this age-old craft, and will help develop a new appreciation for lettering as you discover your creative personality.

"Beginner's guide to materials and techniques for learning to do calligraphy. Includes instructional DVD-ROM"--Provided by publisher.

Practical guide teaches elegant 18th-century writing style. Each letterform demonstrated stroke by stroke with clear explanation. Write quotations, poems, invitations, more. Numerous black-and-white illus. Bibliography.

Writing teacher and artist Caroline Joy Adams knows the tremendous power of the written word. And she has made it her mission to put into action her belief that everyone can experience and enjoy this power. Many can write, but few do. Caroline believes that everyone has stories to tell, and she provides the inspiration and tools to help you get started and keep writing. Book jacket.